Geoege w



(No ModeL) 2 Sheets-She et 1 G. W. HEY 8a 13. LAASS.

MARKING AND STAMPING APPARATUS.

No. 341,380. M Patented May 4, 1886.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' G. W. HEY & E. LAASS.

MARKING AND STAMPING APPARATUS.

No. 341,380. Patented May 4, 1886.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE IV. HEY AND EMIL LAASS, OF SYRACUSE, NEAV YORK, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE INTERNATIONAL POSTAL SUPPLY COMPANY OF NEIV YORK.

MARKING AND STAMPING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 341,380,45ated May 4, 1886.

Application filed February 26, 1884. Serial No. 122,037. (Nomodek) T aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE W. HEY and EMIL LAASS, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, haveinvented new and useful Improvementsin Marking and Stamping Apparatus, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of this invention is to mark or stamp mail-matter and analogous articles in an expeditious manner and with the minimum expenditure of manual labor.

To this end the invention consists in novel means for automatically applying the mark or stamp to the aforesaid articles, as hereinaften more fully explained, and set forth in the claims.

The annexed drawings illustrate an example of an apparatus adapted for carrying out our invention. The same is susceptible of various modifications in its organization, and we therefore wish it distinctly understood that we do not limit ourselves to the particular mechanism and devices herein shown, which are merely designed to facilitate the description of our invention.

Figure I isa plan view of the said apparatus. Fig. II is a view facing the marker or stamp. Fig. III is a transverse section on line 00 00, Fig. I. Fig. IV is a transverse section on line y y, Fig. I. Fig. V is a detached perspective view of the device designed to engage with the article brought in front of the 3 5 marker or stamp, and by said engagement determine the position when to apply the marker or stamp. Fig. VI is a transverse section on line 2: c, Fig. I; and FigVII is a plan view of the stamp, showing the inking device thereof.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A designates the bed which is to support the article to be marked or stamped. Said I R, receiving rotary motion from a suitable.

motor and drawing the belt longitudinally over the bed proper, A, as represented by lines a c in the drawings. Said belt conveys edgewise on a way at the base of the supportingbed the article to be marked or stamped in front of the marker or stamp O, which faces the bed A, and may be of any suitable form and constructiomalthough here represented to consist of an ordinary stamp carrying an inking-ribbon, r, as shown in Figs. VI and VII of the drawings.

The articles to be marked or stamped are carried in the direction of the arrows in Fig. I of the drawings. In the path of said articles are interposed movable mechanical fingers or feelers, adapted to engage the edges of the letter and of the stamps which may be on said letter, 6 said mechanical feelers being thereby yieldin gly held with the ends of their teeth resting on the bed A or belt moving over it. The position of the rake is such as to bring the end of the teeth thereof from under the range of the marker or stamp and in proximity to the edge of the same toward the delivering end of the bed A, or conveyer a a, for the purpose hereinafter explained.

The rake is hinged to a rod, 1), which is guided in suitable bearings, c c, and is held toward the feed end of the apparatus by the constant force of a spring, d. Another spring, e, connectedto the guide-rod b, and bearing on the stem of the rake, holds the latter yield- Bo ingly toward the bed A, and causes the teeth of the rake to engage with the approaching end of theletter carried along by the conveyer a a, and also with the edge of the postagestamp attached to said letter. Said engage ment causes the rake to be drawn along with the movementof the letter; and in order to release the rake at the proper time we employ suitable throw-off mechanism consisting of a bar, f, or other projection fixed to the stem of the rake, and arranged to ride over a cam, g, on spring-bars h, which are fixed to a suitable support, and bear with their free end onto the face of the advancing letter in proximity to the rake-teeth. The bar f, in riding on the 5 can] g, lifts the rake away from the letter, and

' at the same time imparts to the spring-bars h a counteracting pressure, which holds the letter on its support A or conveyer a a, and thus releases the letterfrom the rake. The rake, as soon as liberated, is restored to its normal position by the action of the springs d and c. This movement of the rake is utilized to control the action of the marker or stamp C, and this is accomplished by connecting with the rake or its stem a suitable tripping device, which, by the aforesaid movement of the rake, throws into action a temporarily-restrained motor adapted to actuate the marker or stamp for applying the mark to the letter engaged by the rake, the motor in this case being electro-magnetic, and consisting of a galvanic battery, D, electro-magnets E, armature F, and electric conductors it, one of which is extended from the battery directly to the magnets in the usual manner, and the other is extended to aswitch or circuit opening and closing device, which communicates with the electro-Inagnets by another wire, J, the aforesaid switch constituting in this case the trip- V ping device hereinbefore referred to, and being represented in the form of two metallic blocks, H, with which are connected respectively, the conductors 2' and J. One of the said blocks Z is connected to the rod b of the rake, and the other is attached to a suitable support, and both are properly insulated in their attachment. The blocks are arranged in such position in relation to each other that when the rake and its rod b are at rest they are isolated from each other, and when the rake is moved byits encounter with the letter to be stamped, as hereinbefore described the two blocks Z Z are brought in contact with each other, and thus close the electric circuit.

F represents the armature of the electro magnet, which armature is connected with the stem n of the stamp O in such a manner that when the armature is attracted to the electromagnets by the closing of the circuit,as aforesaid, the armature forces the stamp toward the bed A, and thereby causes said stamp to mark or impress the letter held by the rake, and, inasmuch as the rake is arranged to en gage the advancing edge of the postage-stamp, and the stamp Ois arranged back of the raketeeth, said stamp or marker is compelled to strike the postage-stamp and cancel the same. The stamp pressing upon the letter while the cam qlifts the rake releases the letter from the rake, which is immediately carried back to its normal position by the spring (1, and this separates the blocks Z Z from each other, and thus breaks the electric circuit. As soon as this is effected the armature becomes released from the magnet and withdraws the stamp G from the letter.

R R represent rollers designed to hold to the bed A the mail-matter to be canceled and marked,said rollers being sustained yielding] y in their position, so as to accommodate themselves to the various thicknesses of the articles passing between the rollers and bed A, and when said bed is made stationary the rollers are arranged to receive motion from a suitable motor, and by their frictional hold on the mail-matter force the same along on the bed A. Cushions m m are arranged over the back of the rake to receive the thrust incident to its sudden release from the article subjected to the marking or stamping process.

The described apparatus can be duplicated and arranged to mark or stamp both sides of the letter, either simultaneously or alternately or successively, the latter arrangement being illustrated in the annexed drawings, and consisting of a supplemental bed, A, extended from the end of the first bed, A, and arranged with its face conversely and in such position in relation to the first bed as to receive therefrom the letter or article brought thereby, and to carry forward said article with that side there of outward from the bed which was lying adjacent to the first bed, the two beds A A thus successively exposing opposite sides of the letter. Over the supplemental bed A is arranged a stamp, O, with actuating mechanism similar to that employed in connection with the first bed.

The operation of our invention is as follows, viz: The mail-matter is introduced into a suitable channel, either direct or through the medium of a hopper connected with said channel, which latter feature is deemed unnecessary to be here illustrated. By means of the belt a, or suitable rollers taking hold of the letters, either frictionally or otherwise, the letters are carried successively along the bed A, and in said movement they encounter therake B, the teeth of which engage the approaching end of the letter and cause the rake to be drawn along until the metallic blocks Z Z are brought in contact with each other to close the circuit, and thereby cause the armature of the electromagnets to press the stamp 0 onto the letter which is momentarily restrained from its forward movement by the engagement of the rake B. In drawing the rake forward, as aforesaid, the barfis made to ride on the cam y of the bars h, which bear upon the letter. The resultant strain on the rake and bars h in opposite directions tends to throw the rake out of its en gagement with the letter, and if not thereby released the stroke of the stamp G will accomplish the release.

It must be understood that the function of the rake or feeler is to engage the edge of the letter and of the successive stamps thereon, and after such engagement to move along with the force of the carrier until the electric circuit is made and the stamping mechanism is thus set in motion. function ceases, and it is only necessary that the operation of the parts should be timed to carry the engagement -of the rake and letter to the point of making the circuit. The action of the stamp is instantaneous, and it is necessary that these parts should act in harmony for the purpose described. To this IIO At this point its main end the rod f rides up the cam g as the rake moves forward, not only to prepare for the disengagement of the rake at the proper time, but also to insure that the presser-bars h shall hold the letter to the carrier with the requisite amount of friction to carry the rake and its concomitant parts forward until the circuit is made. Thus the rod f and presserbar It serve two functions: first, to hold the letter to the carrier against the force of the spring d, and, second, to either liberate the rake from its engagement with the letter or the stamp thereon, or make such preparation for that end that the blow of the stamp upon the letter will disengage it. If the postagestamp is properly positioned near the end edge of the letter, the engagement of the rake or feeler with the end of the letter will cause the marking to be effected upon the postage-stamp; but in case the postagestamp is too farfrom the edge of the letter to be marked by the stamp C, as aforesaid, the rake B will, after its release from the edge of the letter, engage the edge of the postage stamp and produce the same effect as before described. This insures the canceling of the postage-stamp whatever its position upon the letter.

It will be noticed that by the arrangement of the stamping apparatus and its actuating mechanism,as herein illustrated and described, it is immaterial which face of the letter is first presented to the stamp, as both sides of the letter are subjected to the action of the apparatus, and the postage-stamps invariably canceled, and the dating or receiving mark impressed in proper position thereon. Thus, it will be observed, the rake makes the circuit by bringing the blocks 1 Z into contact, the said blocks Z Z trip or set into motion the stamping mechanism, the spring cl breaks the circuit, the rod f and cam g assist to liberate the rake, and the said rod and cam g, in connection with the bars h, serve to insure the proper friction to operate the switch or tripping means Z Z.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a stamping or marking machine, a letter-supporting bed having stamps or mark ers arranged thereon reversely in relation to each other, said markers being provided with selecting devices actuated by the mail-matter,

which in turn actuate the respective stamps, whereby the letter treated will be automatically marked in the proper place without regard to the face presented, substantially as set forth.

2. An automatic marking or stamping apparatus comprising a bed for supporting the article to be marked, a marking-stamp supported opposite said bed, an actuating-barrier or selecting-feeler arranged to be encountered by the article passing over said bed and transmitting motion to the marking-stamp, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination with a letter-supporting motion the stamp or marker, substantially as described.

4. In combination with a letter-supporting bed, a carrier for moving the letter over the bed, a stamp or marker, and a mechanical engaging-finger to engage the moving letter and transmit motion to the stamp or marker, substantially as described.

5. A letter feedbed having projections arranged on opposite sides of the path of feed of said bed, said projections forming successively bearingbeds and supporting-surfaces for the back and front of a letter, as set forth.

6. In combination with a marker, an electro motor actuating said marker, a supportingbed provided wit-h a way, a movable barrier or feeler arranged in the way, and an electric circuit-closer between the barrier and the electromotor, as set forth.

7. The combination, in an automatic lettermarking apparatus, of a letter'supporting bed having a rectilinear way or path for the moving letters, and two supporting-surfaces arranged, respectively, on said bed at right angles to the letter-way and on opposite sides thereon,with automatic stamps or markers of the class herein described yieldingly sustained against said supporting-surfaces and opposite thereto, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In combination with a carrier, a stamp ing mechanism, an electro-magnetic motor, and a rake or feeler adapted to engage the passing letter upon the carrier, to make the circuit and throw the stamp or marker into operation, and a spring for breaking the circuit as soon as the rake is released, substantially as specified.

9. In combination with a carrier and stamp or marker, and an electro magnetic motor comprising a magnet and armature, a rake or feeler electrically connected with said motor, means,substantially as described,for releasing said rake from the article or letter as soon as the stamp has been applied to the article, and a circuit-breaker arranged to operate as soon as the rake has been released, substantially as set forth.

10. In combination with a marking-stamp, a bed for supporting the article to be marked or stamped, mechanism for forcing the stamp toward the bed, an electric battery, electromagnets, and an armature for actuating the aforesaid mechanism, electric conductors, and a rake or feeler for operating and closing the circuit automatically with the introduction of the article to be marked or stamped under the marking-stamp, as specified.

11. The combination, with a bed for support-ing the article to be marked or stamped and a marker or stamp arranged movably opposite said bed, an electric battery, electromagnets, mechanism, as described, for transmitting motion from the armature of the magnets to the marker or stamp, and a movable barrier interposed between the bed and the marker or stamp,and an electric-circuit switch actuated by said barrier, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In combination with a bed for supporting the article to be marked or stamped and a marker or stamp arranged movably opposite said bed, an electric battery, electro-magnets, mechanism, substantially as described, for transmitting motion from the armature of the magnets to the marker or stamp, mechanism, substantially as described, for moving the article to be marked or stamped on its supporting-bed, a movable barrier adapted to engage the article moving on the bed, and an electriccircuit switch actuated by the movement of the barrier, substantially as set forth.

13. In combination with the bed and a lettereonveyer over the same, a stamp or marker facing the eonveyer, mechanism, substantially as described, for operating the stamp held normally dormant, a yielding barrier over the conveyer,adapted to engage the passing letter, a switch arranged to set in motion the stampactuating mechanism automatically with the movement of the barrier, and means, substantially as described, for releasing the barrier from the letter.

14. In combination with theletter-supporting bed, the stamp or marker, the stampactuating mechanism, substantially as described, a rake adapted to engage the passing letter,and actuating the switch and bars bearing on the letter, and provided with a cam adapted to engage with the moving rake to throw the rake from the letter, as described.

15. In the within described marking or stamping machine, the combination of a rake or feeler adapted to engage the letter, and a presser-bar bearing on the letter, as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In the within-described marking or stamping machine, the combination, with a rake or feeler for engaging with the letter, of apresserbar provided withacam-surfaceandathrow-off mechanism consisting of a rod connected with the rake or feeler and adapted to ride up said M cam-surface, substantially as described.

17. The throw off mechanism consisting of the combination of the rakeB with the presser-bar h, cam g, and cross-bar f, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

18. In combination with the bed A, stamp (l, and electric conductor 13 the rake B and rod Z ,hinged to the rake and moving in guides 00, spring (I, and metal'bloc-ksZZ, connected with the electric conductors, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto signed our names and affixed our seals, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, this 22d day of February, 1884.

GEORGE W. HEY. [L s] EMIL LAASS. ps.]

Vitnesses:

O. H. DUELL, FREDERICK H. Gnz'es. 

